Cyndi Lauper Album: “Shine [EP]”

Well, she's back, what more can I say. Cynid Lauper one of the most well known ladies from the 80's returns with this new EP, a preview of her upcoming album to be released later this year. It is an amazing mix of different styles and sounds. The title song "Shine" is a beautiful uptempo pop song about self-worth, The next one "It's Hard To Be Me" is a sort of a hard-edged rocker similar to her hit "Money Changes Everything". Next, is the R+B flavored "Madonna Whore" about the Madonna/Whore complex(not the singer), followed by "Water's Edge" a beautiful ballad of sorts with a fresh sound. The EP is closed out with a dance remix of "Shine". So there you have it, almost every genre, pop,rock,r+b,and even dance. This EP does not disappoint, it reminds us all of why Cyndi dominated the charts throughout the 80's, lets make it that way again, buy this EP, it is for everyone! Go CYNDI!!!!!

I saw Cyndi's Cleveland, Ohio appearance with Cher on June 18. Cyndi stole the show.

Without props, special effects, or a huge set Cyndi impressed with her strong vocals, multiple instrument playing ability, and, of course, her entertaining personality (even climbing into the audience and running around the arena to shake hands).

The audience gave her a lukewarm response upon her entrance to the stage but roared with cheers and was on its feet by the end of the set. In my many concert experiences, seeing everyone from The B-52's and Duran Duran to Depeche Mode and Garbage, I have never seen a performer whip a crowd into such a frenzy. The audience buzz after her set was amazing. Come back to Cleveland soon, Cyndi!

I purchased the "Shine" EP at the concert in advance of the street date and think it's easily some of her best material since her first two albums, "She's So Unusual" and "True Colors."

My personal favorite is the power pop gem "It's Hard To Be Me." An instant smash that's a stunner live. It's probably her most fun track since "The Goonies 'R' Good Enough."

Both the original version of "Shine" and the "Illicit Mix" (tracks 1 and 5, respectively) are excellent. The original is in the line of "You Don't Know," my favorite from the "Sisters of Avalon" CD (her last studio album). The remix is one of her better mixes and completely transforms the original edit to it's own beast.

"Madonna Whore" is controversial, but it should be noted that it's not about pop star M. Ciccone for those unfamiliar with psychology. It's a mid-tempo track that refers to the "Madonna Whore" complex, woman who act at both ends of the sexual spectrum. Cyndi sings in sexual code once again - remember when "She Bop" glossed over the mainstream as merely a fun and innocent pop tune? ;)

Finally, "Water's Edge" is a strong ballad with great vocals.

Needless to say, if you have ever been a Cyndi fan (even if you got off the train after her debut), make no hesitation in picking this one up.

Shine was a great EP Cyndi cut in 2001, originally intended as a full length album to come out on the dreaded 9-11-01, however Edel America went under.

We get a nice sampler of what was to be Cyndi's comeback album. She toured extensively with Cher in summer/fall 2002 and won a lot of people over with these songs. However, outside of her diehard fanbase and people who saw her open for Cher, nobody knows this EP exists.

Please get this if you can. Cyndi has made a return to major labels with At Last, which is a decent album, but however I dread that if that cd does even 200,000 units for her, THIS 1989-2002 incarnation of Cyndi will be extinct and we'll be stuck with another torch singer (no offense to fans of the genre, but I prefer Cyndi doing original material, and the torch genre is a reason why I never really cared much for Barbra Streisand's material outside of the 70's and early 80's)

Cyndi Lauper has one of those voices that you either love or hate, the way people do with Stevie Nicks, for example. But while Cyndi has always been a little "out there," and some of her singing can be too, there's never been any denying her raw talent.

As so often is the case with pop stars, once Cyndi's initial radio appeal started to fade, all but her die-hard fans forgot about her. In reality, she made a number of great albums after her first blockbuster or two, but they languished in obscurity without airplay. In recent years, after living without a recording contract, we've not heard much other than underground recordings that managed to get leaked to the net.

Finally, what was underground now comes above-ground, in this self-produced EP disc that features its title track, Shine. While these tracks were supposed to be the centerpiece of a new full-length album, the rumor mill suggests that the deals just weren't forthcoming. Or perhaps in her wisdom and experience, Cyndi's ready to call the shots. Whatever the case, we have no album.

But for the core fan base, we now do have a few new tracks to enjoy while we wait. "Shine," in both regular and remix versions, stands out as a strong, well arranged, well engineered track that shows-off Cyndi's strengths, and would deserve some serious radio play. "It's Hard To Be Me" is another excellent track, fully radio quality. The other two tracks -- "Madonna Whore" and "Water's Edge" -- just leave you hungering for more.

Hopefully between this self-produced effort, and Cyndi's strong reception as the opening act for Cher's 2002 tour, Cyndi can finally get the sort of record deal she deserves, and soon enough, a full album that will push her back in the limelight where she belongs.

"Shine, the song, is so Top40, if not #1 if radio stations would just play Cyndi again. Cyndi is so radically talented and it shows on this EP/CD.The vocals are in perfect form, the musicianship is flawless and the lyrics are deep and powerful.(As usual)! But the reason I've given this particular work from my all time favorite pop godess a rating of a 4 instead of a 5 is simply because, I think certain songs like; "It's hard to be me" and "Madonna Whore" sound a little budget-like as far as production goes. Especially on "I'ts hard to be me"! This song is so potentialy powerful, yet sounds out-dated and kind of cheap sounding. If you listen to "Money changes everything" it sounds more modern and has more of a "rock" sound. "Hard to be me" was probly meant to sound like that too. As a matter of fact, it was, because i saw her sing it live and it was 10 times more harder than "money". It just needs more raw sounding guitars than Casio sounding synthesizers. Besides that little critique on those two songs, "Waters edge" is lovely, the dance mix of "Shine" is ok, and of course "Shine is out of this world!!! Although Cyndi has been doing so much, she is just not in the media enough, where she should be. All Cyndi needs is one big monster hit like "shine" played on the radio, a groovy video on VH-1 (at least) and Woo-Lahh...!!! Cyndi would then make a splash like no one has done before. She could also have state-of-the-art equiptment and really produce some high quality sounds. Until then, this EP is sure to pump us up for her great comeback!!!